County Airports Forum Gets The Word Out

     On May 1, 2003, County Airport staff and the FAA held a joint meeting for the users of the County Airports, as well as the community around the airports.  Approximately 125 people attended the meeting.  The group was welcomed by District IV Supervisor Mark DeSaulnier. 
     Airport staff reported on construction projects, budget and community relations.  They were followed by the U.S. Coast Guard.  The Coast Guard gave information on flying near the ADIZ (air defense identification zone)

and what to do if a pilot is intercepted.
     Travis RAPCON gave a very informational presentation regarding the procedures to follow while flying through their airspace.  The FAA runway safety group spoke about preventing incursions, and they gave an overview of a possible ground marker system at Buchanan Field.
     Concord Air Traffic Control concluded the night by giving a presentation on problem spots on the airport, as well as information on the new tower displays (not Radar).

What's Going On With All Those Weeds?     

     A question often asked this time of year (April and May) is why staff is not mowing the infields and vacant land at the airport. Many years of managing the grasses on the airports have shown that the primary maintenance nemesis and the most dangerous to aircraft operations is the starthistle.
     Throughout the spring months the starthistle lies dormant under the shade of the other grasses, such as the rye and wild oats. Those two grasses are easily traversed by aircraft unlike the starthistle.  Once that comes up, it grows rapidly, is very hard to cut and can easily flip over small aircraft that venture into it.
     The vegetation management technique that works best is to do no mowing until the

first of June. That allows the rye grasses and oats to 1) dry out the soil, depleting the supply of moisture available to the starthistle, 2) provide shade to the small thistle plants that are just coming up in late spring, and 3) allow the ryes and oats to generate seed,  perpetuating wanted vegetation.
     After the first cutting, the County's herbicide spray crew sprays the starthistle that does come up without harming the ryes and oats that are then dormant. This process has many benefits.  It controls the starthistle, reduces mowing costs, and makes a safer aviation-operating environment. The drawbacks are that the airport starts looking a bit shaggy in April and May each year. Please be patient.  There is a method to the madness! 

Byron Master Plan Update